Across the shortened 2020 season and the first two-thirds of 2021, Tejay Antone established himself as one of the absolute most elite relievers in all of Major League Baseball. He pitched to a tidy 2.48 ERA in 69.0 IP in that span, his blend of incredible spin, 98+ degree heat, and a sweeping breaking ball more unhittable as he mastered it.
Then came a late-August trip to Milwaukee, a 75 mph curveball that missed wide to Brewers 1B Rowdy Tellez, and one of the more gutwrenching things I’ve watched in my time covering the Cincinnati Reds. Antone winced immediately upon delivering the pitch, motioned for the trainers, and exited with what soon was revealed to be the second time he’d need Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL in his electric right arm.